Fastener for insulation

Abstract

A fastener for use in fastening insulation to a substrate, comprising a fastener body having a head for engagement with an outer face of the insulation, a tubular stem extending inwardly from the head for penetration through the insulation into engagement with the substrate, the stem having a pointed tip portion remote from the head for penetration of the insulation and the stem being hollow to receive a fastening pin having a pointed end fully enclosed within the stem adjacent the tip, the interior of the stem being adapted to receive a fastener guide of a fastening tool operative to drive the pin into the substrate by means of a driving piston propelled along the fastener guide by gas pressure on firing of the tool, the fastener being mounted to the fastener guide prior to penetration of the insulation whereby penetration of the insulation by the stem occurs by manual pressure applied by an operator to the tool prior to firing of the tool to drive the pin into the substrate, the external surface of the stem including an array of fins extending generally axially of the stem to ensure uniform displacement of the insulation material during penetration.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A fastener for use in fastening insulation to a substrate, comprising a fastener body having a head for engagement with an outer face of the insulation, a tubular stem extending inwardly from the head for penetration through the insulation into engagement with the substrate, the stem having a pointed tip portion remote from the head for penetration of the insulation and the stem being hollow to receive a fastening pin having a pointed end fully enclosed within the stem adjacent the tip, the interior of the stem being adapted to receive a fastener guide of a fastening tool operative to drive the pin into the substrate by means of a driving piston propelled along the fastener guide by gas pressure on firing of the tool, the fastener being mounted to the fastener guide prior to penetration of the insulation whereby penetration of the insulation by the stem occurs by manual pressure applied by an operator to the tool prior to firing of the tool to drive the pin into the substrate, the external surface of the stem including an array of fins extending generally axially of the stem to ensure uniform displacement of the insulation material during penetration. 
     
     
       2. A fastener according to  claim 1  having, between the head and tip portion a body portion of generally constant outer diameter. 
     
     
       3. A fastener according to  claim 2 , wherein an intermediate part of the body portion has a slight concavity in its external surface to reduce friction between the body portion and insulation during penetration. 
     
     
       4. A fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pin, wherein the pin is fully enclosed within the stem. 
     
     
       5. A fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein a substantial length of the stem, between the head and tip portion corresponds to a body portion of generally constant outer diameter. 
     
     
       6. A fastener according to  claim 5 , wherein an intermediate part of the body portion has a slight concavity in its external surface to reduce friction between the body portion and insulation during penetration. 
     
     
       7. A fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein fins of the array of fins are located proximate the head. 
     
     
       8. A fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein relative to the longitudinal axis of the fastener, the fins of the array of fins extend beyond the maximum outer circumference of any part of the tubular stem. 
     
     
       9. A fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein substantially the entire length of the tubular stem, between the head and tip portion, corresponds to a body portion of generally constant outer diameter. 
     
     
       10. A fastener for use in fastening insulation to a substrate, comprising:
 a fastener body having a head for engagement with an outer face of the insulation; 
 a tubular stem extending away from the head and configured to penetrate through the insulation into engagement with the substrate, the stem having a pointed tip portion remote from the head configured to penetrate the insulation, the stem being hollow and configured to receive a fastening pin having a pointed end fully enclosed within the stem adjacent the tip, the interior of the stem being adapted to receive a fastener guide of a fastening tool operative to drive the pin into the substrate by a drive piston propelled along the fastener guide on actuation of the tool, the external surface of the stem including an array of fins extending generally axially of the stem. 
 
     
     
       11. A fastener as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein fins of the array of fins are located proximate the head. 
     
     
       12. A fastener as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein relative to the longitudinal axis of the fastener, the fins of the array of fins extend beyond the maximum outer circumference of any part of the tubular stem. 
     
     
       13. A fastener according to  claim 10 , wherein substantially the entire length of the tubular stem, between the head and tip portion, corresponds to a body portion of generally constant outer diameter. 
     
     
       14. A device for use in fastening insulation to a substrate, comprising:
 a fastening pin having a pointed end; and 
 a fastener body having a head for engagement with an outer face of the insulation, the fastener body including a tubular stem extending away from the head and configured to penetrate through the insulation into engagement with the substrate, the stem having a pointed tip portion remote from the head configured to penetrate the insulation, the stem being hollow and holding therein the fastening pin such that the fastening pin's pointed end is fully enclosed within the stem at a location immediately proximate the tip, the external surface of the stem including an array of fins extending generally axially of the stem. 
 
     
     
       15. A device according to  claim 14 , wherein a substantial length of the stem, between the head and tip portion corresponds to a body portion of generally constant outer diameter. 
     
     
       16. A device according to  claim 15 , wherein an intermediate part of the body portion has a slight concavity in its external surface to reduce friction between the body portion and insulation during penetration. 
     
     
       17. A fastener as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein a substantial length of the pin encompasses a smooth cylindrical body. 
     
     
       18. A fastener as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the fastening pin and the fastening body have a configuration that is generally the same. 
     
     
       19. A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein fins of the array of fins are located proximate the head. 
     
     
       20. A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein relative to the longitudinal axis of the fastener body, the fins of the array of fins extend beyond the maximum outer circumference of any part of the tubular stem. 
     
     
       21. A device according to  claim 14 , wherein substantially the entire length of the tubular stem, between the head and tip portion, corresponds to a body portion of generally constant outer diameter.